Tour Introduction Experience one of the last great travel adventures. Your journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway, one of the world’s most fascinating and safest train routes, is even more interesting, comfortable, and entertaining with this privately chartered train. This grand private train journey from Moscow to Beijing via Lake Baikal and Mongolia is your chance to fulfill the dream of a lifetime. Our trips are accompanied by an experienced multi-lingual tour director and a physician travelling on the train. A sophisticated on-board program complements a comprehensive excursion and sightseeing package to make your journey truly memorable.

Journey with guaranteed lodging in the booked category aboard the exclusively chartered train from Elian to Moscow. From Beijing to Erlian (ca. 16 hours) accommodation in a 2- or 4-bed compartment in a Chinese sleeping car. The Chinese train does not include wagons in the Nostalgic Comfort or Bolshoi categories.

Travel for several hours along the Trans-Siberian Railway panoramic route directly on the shores of Lake Baikal, with photo-stops

Tour director with pertinent knowledge of the region throughout the journey

Competent tour guides for each group of no more than 26 guests.

Local travel guides

All transfers and bus tours according to itinerary

All excursions and sightseeing according to itinerary, including all entry fees

All meals according to your itinerary

Porter service at all railway stations

A physician on board the train (from the Chinese border to Moscow)

Shower facilities on board the train

2 overnights in a hotel in Beijing and 1 night in Moscow in first-class hotels

Informational booklet on the region and train for each compartment reserved

Specials for Bolshoi guests: two meals to choose from for Lunch and Dinner on board the train, 1 bottle of water per person every day in the compartment, 1 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink included for meals on board the train

Day 1 Welcome to BeijingYou are greeted at the airport by your friendly tour director and accompanied to your centrally located 4-star hotel, where you have a pause to relax. The tour through Beijing shows you many of the colourful facets of this large metropolitan city. The highlights are certainly the Temple of Heaven and history-laden Tiananmen Square, two of the city’s most famous sights, but it also includes recent achievements in the area of contemporary architecture, such as the new “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium, and several of Beijing’s futuristic sky scrapers. Afterwards you enjoy a mutual dinner to welcome you to the tour. You spend the night in a hotel in Beijing (4-star). Dinner is included. (D)

Day 2The Great Wall and Peking DuckToday you visit the Great Wall, the eighth wonder of the world. The giant wall extends for more than 6000 km through the countryside. On the way you visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Ming Tombs and the Spirit Way. In the evening you dine on the well-known delicacy of Peking Duck. You spend the night in your Beijing hotel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. (BLD)

Day 3The Forbidden City and Departure for MongoliaFor centuries, the gates to the Forbidden City were closed to the public. Today you have the morning to view its awe-inspiring halls and mysterious temples. In the evening your rail journey begins, as you transfer to the train station and depart for Mongolia aboard a chartered Chinese train. You reach the border city of Erlian in approximately 16 hours, on the following day. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 4Crossing the Gobi DesertAround noon you reach the Chinese-Mongolian border, where you transfer to the Tsar’s Gold private train. The change of trains is necessary because of the different track gauges in the two countries. In the growing city of Erlian, you have some time to explore the colourful local market, before your Russian train sets off towards Mongolia. After crossing sections of the legendary Gobi Desert, the train travels through the vast green steppes of Mongolia. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 5 Ulaanbaatar: A Lama Temple and the Buddhist Realms of HellEarly-risers are treated to central Mongolia’s spectacular scenery. In the morning you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You can leave your large luggage securely in your compartment. During your city tour you see the impressive Gandan Buddhist Monastery and the odd Choijin Lama Temple, among other things. In the evening you have the unique chance to attend a performance of traditional Mongolian folk arts, including throat singing, horse-headed fiddle playing, national costumes and dances (tickets are € 14/ $ 15, to be paid on site). You spend the night in a 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. (BLD) On request, we can organise alternative lodging in a yurt in the beautiful landscape of the Mongolian Alps (supplement € 35/ $ 40). This is a rare experience and a dream come true for nature lovers.

Day 6The Gandan Monastery and Mongolian AlpsAfter breakfast you visit the Gandan Monastery, where it is possible to observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Your bus then takes you to the Mongolian Alps, located some 90 minutes east of Ulaanbaatar, with their majestic scenery and bizarre rock formations. After a picnic lunch in a yurt camp, you watch a small Mongolian horse-riding demonstration and a traditional wrestling match. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 7Ulan-UdeYou take your leave of the Mongolian steppes today. You travel through the valley of Mongolia’s largest river, the Selenga, You are on the way to Ulan-Ude, where your train reaches the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Here you take an informative city tour. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 8Lake BaikalToday is spent exploring the remarkable natural phenomenon of Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world. In the morning your train travels directly alongside Lake Baikal, on the old route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. During two extended photo-stops, you have a chance to explore and record the scenic beauty of the lake and its setting. A short boat excursion from Port Baikal takes you out onto the lake. Take a swim in the lake, if you wish, and visit a picturesque Baikal village. Dinner is a Baikal-style picnic on the lakeshore with a view of the incredible natural surroundings (weather permitting). You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 9Irkutsk In the morning, you arrive in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia in tsarist times. Here you move into your hotel, which is simple, but central and nicely located. You can safely leave your large baggage on the private train. During your city tour you see the Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, the new memorial to Tsar Alexander III, and the photogenic market hall. Around noon you pay a worthwhile visit to an open-air museum with a focus on life and work in historical Siberia. You spend the night in a 4 star hotel in Irkutsk. (BLD)

Day 10OnboardAfter breakfast your train passes through the diverse landscapes of eastern Siberia. Talks on board inform you about the region and a vodka tasting with typical Russian snacks is an opportunity to experience firsthand the Russian festive customs of hospitality and clever toasts. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 11NovosibirskAround noon, your train arrives in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. You are greeted with bread and salt in the customary Russian manner and taken on a tour of this most Soviet of cities along your entire route, including the chance to see the mighty Ob River. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 12EkaterinburgYour train stops in the afternoon in Ekaterinburg, the capital of the Ural Federal District. The city is known as the place where the Russian tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in 1918. During a tour you see the Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, which was built in 2003 to commemorate that tragic historic event, and the city centre attractively restored in 2009. Back on board, you enjoy views of the Urals landscape and indulge yourself in the dining car. Your private train is already rolling across the European continent. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 13KazanAfter breakfast you reach Kazan, the Tatar capital on the banks of the Volga. On your city tour you see Tatar mosques and the most famous Russian Orthodox cathedral. You also take a tour of Kazan’s Kremlin, where you learn about the turbulent history of the relationship between the Tatars, the Cossacks, and the Russians. Afterwards you enjoy lunch in a city restaurant. You spend the night aboard the train. (BLD)

Day 14Welcome to MoscowAround noon, you arrive in the Russian capital of Moscow, now a thriving, prosperous city, and are accompanied to your 4-star hotel. At noon you visit the Kremlin grounds with its magnificent cathedral. Several of the building interiors can also be viewed. After dinner, discover the city’s magic during an hour-long “City of Lights” tour, including a stop at Red Square, and a ride on the underground to view two of Moscow’s particularly beautiful metro stations. You spend the night in a hotel in Moscow. (BLD)

Day 15Tour of Moscow and Flight HomeAfter an ample breakfast at your hotel, your tour of the city takes you to the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Lomonossov University, the New Maidens’ Convent (Novodevichy Monastery), and Red Square with its colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral, as well as to the notorious former KGB headquarters and the White House. This then marks the end of your memorable journey and the time has come to head to the airport. We accompany you to the airport and bid you bon voyage. (B)

Prices in GBP (per person) Low Season price for departures in May – deduct £155 £4,465 – Standard Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £3,965 – Standard Category, based on two people travelling together

£7,935 – Standard Classic Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £5,725 – Standard Classic Category, based on two people travelling together

£8,485 – Standard Superior Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £6,015 – Standard Superior Category, based on two people travelling together

£8,885 – Standard Superior Plus Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £6,405 – Standard Superior Plus Category, based on two people travelling together

£12,215 – Nostalgic Comfort Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £8,115 – Nostalgic Comfort Category, based on two people travelling together

£16,635 – Bolshoi Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £10,755 – Bolshoi Category, based on two people travelling together

£19,525 – Bolshoi Platinum Category, based on solo travel and occupancy £12,685 – Bolshoi Platinum Category, based on two people travelling together

The Largest Selection of Compartments Available on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Choose from the different cabin types, according to your personal requirements, and dine in our beautiful restaurant wagons. Enjoy fine cuisine and drinks. The restaurant car also serves as a bar wagon, so before and after meals you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and have a nice conversation with fellow travellers as you collect unique impressions. Between Moscow and the Chinese-Mongolian border in Erlian (and vice versa) your Private Train offers seven different compartment categories ranging from the the budget-minded Classic Category with shared facilities to the best possible comfort available on the Trans-Siberian with private facilities: category Bolshoi Platinum. No matter which compartment type you choose, all of them are about twice as large as typical European sleeping car compartments.